Daniel James (fighter)

Last updated
Daniel James
Born (1981-12-31) December 31, 1981 (age 42)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesThe American Predator
Height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight264 lb (120 kg; 18 st 12 lb)
Division Heavyweight
Reach82 in (208 cm)
Fighting out of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
TeamMidwest Training Center
RankPurple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu [1]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins15
By knockout11
By submission3
By decision1
Losses7
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision4
By disqualification1
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Daniel James (born December 31, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Bellator MMA.

Contents

Background

Growing up on the west side of Chicago, James resided in his childhood in neighbourhoods that were filled with violence and drugs. However, he was able to avoid getting involved in them through athletics and sports. He gained his nickname, "The American Predator", from his uncle due to his characteristic dreadlocks. He spends much of his free time running programs for children to keep them out of trouble. [2] [3]

James has a very successful career as a fitness trainer at Reach Fieldhouse in Chicago, where he runs multiple fitness programs. [3] Likewise, he travelled the world as a former celebrity bodyguard, still partaking in the endeavor from time to time, like for the rapper Twista. [4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Debuting at in 2014 at Bellator 112 against Erick Correa, a bout in which he won via second round retirement, James went 7–3–1 fighting around the American Midwest scene, facing such opponents like Daniel Gallemore.

After going 2-0 in the LFA with impressive knockouts against Calyn Hull via second round knockout on September 21, 2018 at LFA 50 and Patrick Martin via TKO stoppage at the end of the first round on May 24, 2019 at LFA 67, James advanced to the finals of the LFA Heavyweight tournament against Brett Martin. However, the bout for the vacant LFA Heavyweight Championship against Martin on September 27, 2019 at LFA 77, ended in controversy as Martin missed weight for the bout coming in at 272.6 pounds, 6.6 lbs over the weight limit, and James went on to lose the bout via disqualification in the 5th round after throwing illegal knees against the fence. [5]

Absolute Championship Akhmat

James signed with the Absolute Championship Akhmat, making his promotional debut against Ruslan Magomedov at ACA 101: Strus vs. Nemchinov on November 15, 2019, losing the fight via unanimous decision. [6]

In his sophomore appearance against Michal Martínek on November 26, 2020 at ACA 114: Omielańczuk vs. Johnson, James would win the bout in the second round, trapping his opponent in a crucifix and finishing the bout via elbows and punches. [7]

James faced Daniel Omielańczuk on April 23, 2021 at ACA 122, losing the bout via unanimous decision. [8]

James would rebound against Tomas Pakutinskas on September 11, 2021 at ACA 128: Goncharov vs. Omielańczuk, winning the bout at the end of the first round as Pakutinskas submitted due to punches. [9]

James faced Raphael Pessoa at November 18, 2021 at ACA 132: Johnson vs. Vakhaev, winning the bout via ground and pound TKO in the second round. [10]

In what would be his last bout with the promotion, James faced Denis Smoldarev on February 26, 2022 at ACA 136: Bukuev vs Akopyan, winning the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round. [11]

Bellator MMA

A heavyweight bout between Davion Franklin on May 6, 2022 at Bellator 280. [12] However, James failed an out of competition drug test and was pulled from the bout. [13]

James faced Tyrell Fortune on November 18, 2022, at Bellator 288, pulling off a comeback and finishing Fortune in the second round via ground and pound. [14] The bout was later overturned to a no contest after James tested positive for an anabolic substance on a test before the bout. [15]

James faced Marcelo Golm on March 31, 2023 at Bellator 293. [16] He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round. [17]

James faced Gökhan Saricam on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297. [18] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [19]

James was scheduled to face Ali Isaev on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301. [20] The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons. [21]

PFL

James was set to debut with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at PFL 1 on April 4, 2024, in a rematch against Tyrell Fortune. [22] However, Fortune withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Marcelo Golm in a rematch bout that James won by technical knockout at the end of the first round. [23] [24] James missed weight, so he was fined a percentage of his purse and given a point deduction in the standings. [25]

James was then again set to rematch Fortune this time at PFL 4 on June 13, 2024, but withdrew from the bout due to an unknown reason and was replaced by Marcelo Golm. [26]

Personal life

James has four children, two sons and two daughters. [27] [28]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
24 matches15 wins7 losses
By knockout111
By submission31
By decision14
By disqualification01
Draws1
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win15–7–1 (1) Marcelo Golm TKO (punches) PFL 1 (2024) April 4, 202414:59 San Antonio, Texas, United StatesCatchweight (267 lb) bout; James missed weight.
Loss14–7–1 (1)Gökhan SaricamDecision (unanimous) Bellator 297 June 16, 202335:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win14–6–1 (1) Marcelo Golm TKO (punches) Bellator 293 March 31, 202330:26 Temecula, California, United States
NC13–6–1 (1)Tyrell FortuneNC (overturned) Bellator 288 November 18, 202220:27 Chicago, Illinois, United StatesOriginally a TKO (punches and elbows) win for James; overturned after he tested positive for anabolic substance.
Win13–6–1Denis SmoldarevTKO (punches) ACA 136: Bukuev vs Akopyan February 26, 202211:41 Moscow, Russia
Win12–6–1 Raphael Pessoa TKO (punches) ACA 132: Johnson vs. Vakhaev November 18, 202122:14 Minsk, Belarus
Win11–6–1Tomas PakutinskasTKO (submission to punch) ACA 128: Goncharov vs. Omielańczuk September 11, 202114:34 Minsk, Belarus
Loss10–6–1 Daniel Omielańczuk Decision (unanimous) ACA 122: Johnson vs. Poberezhets April 23, 202135:00 Minsk, Belarus
Win10–5–1Michal MartínekTKO (elbows and punches) ACA 114: Omielańczuk vs. Johnson November 26, 202023:32 Łódź, Poland
Loss9–5–1 Ruslan Magomedov Decision (unanimous) ACA 101: Strus vs. Nemchinov November 15, 201935:00 Warszawa, Poland
Loss9–4–1Brett MartinDQ (illegal knees) LFA 77 September 27, 201951:12 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United StatesFor the vacant LFA Heavyweight Championship.
Win9–3–1Patrick MartinTKO (punches) LFA 67 May 24, 201914:45 Branson, Missouri, United States
Win8–3–1Calyn HullKO (punches) LFA 50 September 21, 201820:32 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win7–3–1Zach RosolSubmission (kimura)Victory FC: Fight Night Waterloo 2November 22, 201734:58 Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Loss6–3–1 Daniel Gallemore Submission (guillotine choke)Victory FC 57May 5, 201711:24 Topeka, Kansas, United StatesFor the Victory FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win6–2–1Chris BealTKO (punches)XFO 60March 11, 201720:38 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Draw5–2–1John HawkDraw (majority)Big Guns 21November 19, 201635:00 Tallmadge, Ohio, United States
Loss5–2 Arnold Adams TKO (punches)HFC 27February 6, 201612:06 Michigan City, Indiana, United StatesFor the Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win5–1Pat HarmanSubmission (rear-naked choke)HFC 25September 25, 201512:33 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win4–1Jason WalravenSubmission (kimura)Super Brawl Showdown 1January 30, 201512:55 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win3–1Aaron WareDecision (unanimous)XFO 54November 22, 201435:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win2–1Ryan PokryfkyTKO (punches)XFO 53October 11, 201423:38 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss1–1Leroy JohnsonDecision (unanimous)NAAFS: Fight Night In The Flats 10June 7, 201435:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win1–0Erick CorreaTKO (retirement) Bellator 112 March 14, 201424:30 Hammond, Indiana, United States

[29]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ George Garcia; Brian Garcia (April 4, 2024). "MMA Junkie Radio #3451: Guest Daniel James, Ronda Rousey and Mike Tyson news, more". MMAjunkie.com (Podcast).
  2. ↑ "VFC 57's Daniel James: Looking to Inspire Chicago by Winning Heavyweight Title". Combat Press. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  3. 1 2 "LFA 77's Daniel James: Chicago's Inspiration". Combat Press. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  4. ↑ Heck, Mike (2022-11-18). "Video: Rapper Twista's bodyguard Daniel James prepares for Bellator 288 with help from D.U.S.T. Commander Dale Brown". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  5. ↑ Frankl, Mika (2019-09-28). "LFA 77 Results- Main Event Ends In Controversy". mymmanews.com. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  6. ↑ "Uitslagen : ACA 101 : Warsaw". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). November 15, 2019.
  7. ↑ "ACA 114: Deák aj Martínek tvrdo narazili | VIDEO ukončení". sportnet.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  8. ↑ Sherdog.com. "ACA 122 - Johnson vs. Poberezhets". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  9. ↑ "T.Pakutinskas po nokautu pralaimėtos kovos: "Atrodo, tarsi kažkas ištrynė kelias minutes iš mano gyvenimo"". sportas.lt. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  10. ↑ "ACA 132 Results - Johnson vs Vakhaev". MMA Sucka. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  11. ↑ "Дэниел Джеймс техническим нокаутом победил Дениса Смолдарева на ACA 136". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  12. ↑ "Unbeaten heavyweight Davion Franklin meets Daniel James at Bellator 280". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  13. ↑ "Daniel James off Bellator 280 in Paris due to positive drug test". MMA Junkie. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  14. ↑ "Bellator 288 video: Daniel James blasts Tyrell Fortune, finishes with vicious ground-and-pound". MMA Junkie. 2022-11-19. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  15. ↑ Morehouse, Cade (2023-11-20). "Tyrell Fortune Says Bellator 288 Fight with Daniel James Ruled No Contest Due to Failed Drug Test". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  16. ↑ "Marcelo Golm vs. Daniel James, Cat Zingano vs. Leah McCourt headline Bellator 293 on March 31". MMA Junkie. 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  17. ↑ Jay Anderson (2023-03-01). "Bellator 293: after slow start, Daniel James erupts to stop Marcelo Golm in third". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  18. ↑ FightBookMMA (2023-04-12). "BELLATOR 297: Nemkov vs. Romero adds 8 more fights". FightBook MMA. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  19. ↑ "Bellator 297 results: Gokhan Saricam spoils Chicago homecoming for Daniel James". MMA Junkie. 2023-06-17. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  20. ↑ "Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  21. ↑ Guillen, Adam (2023-11-13). "Bellator 301 loses not one, but two fights on the same day". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  22. ↑ Timothy Wheaton (March 12, 2024). "PFL Announces First Three Events for the 2024 Regular Season". combatpress.com.
  23. ↑ Staff (2024-04-04). "2024 PFL 1: Delija vs. Moldavsky Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  24. ↑ "Daniel James pulls off comeback KO with one second left in first round". pflmma.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  25. ↑ Sherdog.com. "PFL 1 Weigh-in Results: Ante Delija, Valentin Moldavsky Official for Main Event". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  26. ↑ "Continuation of PFL's heavyweight season gets two changes in Connecticut". MMAjunkie.com . May 20, 2024.
  27. ↑ YouAndMeThisMorning (September 17, 2013). MMA Fighter Daniel "The Predator" James – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ Ken Chronicles Media (February 21, 2023). Daniel James Interview with Ken Chronicles Media – via YouTube.
  29. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Daniel James". Sherdog.
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